According to AgingCare.com, rough statistics show that 30% of caregivers die before those they are caring for. Some studies show deaths higher. Illness that doesn't lead to death is rampant, as well - depression and auto-immune diseases are high on the list.
Caregivers often don't go to their own doctor appointments. They put them off, because they are sick of sitting in a doctor's office with their loved ones, or are just plain too busy. Then things like breast cancer, which could be caught at an early stage, aren't found until the illness is much worse or even life threatening.
Caregivers are as important as the people they care for. If they don't care for their bodies, minds and spirits while caring for others, no one wins. Support for caregivers means we must tell our stories and share what we have learned. Make time for yourself, go to that doctor appointment, attend that caregiver help group in your town or city... you are needed and you can't be there if you aren't well. Please read this New York Times article, we found it to be helpful.
We'll continue with this topic in future blogs - we think it is important.
I hope we'll hear many of your stories on this site.
Stay Healthy!
Debbie Carroll
Founder
The Senior Sage
Image courtesy of OSTFlorida through WikiCommons
Caregivers often don't go to their own doctor appointments. They put them off, because they are sick of sitting in a doctor's office with their loved ones, or are just plain too busy. Then things like breast cancer, which could be caught at an early stage, aren't found until the illness is much worse or even life threatening.
Caregivers are as important as the people they care for. If they don't care for their bodies, minds and spirits while caring for others, no one wins. Support for caregivers means we must tell our stories and share what we have learned. Make time for yourself, go to that doctor appointment, attend that caregiver help group in your town or city... you are needed and you can't be there if you aren't well. Please read this New York Times article, we found it to be helpful.
We'll continue with this topic in future blogs - we think it is important.
I hope we'll hear many of your stories on this site.
Stay Healthy!
Debbie Carroll
Founder
The Senior Sage
Image courtesy of OSTFlorida through WikiCommons
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